Not only the Official Plan, but also its supporting Master Plans for Transportation and Infrastructure are being reviewed.
Project leader for this Review is Colin Simpson, Planner, Transportation – Strategic Planning Unit, Planning, Transit and Environment Department, City of Ottawa, 110 Laurier Ave West, 4th Floor, K1P 1J1, Tel: (613) 580-2424 ext. 27881 , e-mail: colin.simpson (at) ottawa.ca.
In his Winter 2008 Newsletter of January 18, Colin reviewed what has happened so far:
– some of the White Papers deal with transportation issues;
– in October, the City spoke to about 900 citizens in short “streeter” interviews;
– Ottawa Talks was open for comment from October to late December 2007;
– nine focus groups met in October and November;
– the City Cafe on November 24 gave opportunities to comment;
– there was an interactive workshop on December 4, utilizing touch-pad technology.
Here is what Colin says staff heard:
A variety of input was received last fall from the various consultation activities. Listed below are some of the key highlights:
Residents of Ottawa continue to support placing emphasis on sustainable modes of transportation (walking, cycling, carpooling and transit) when creating our future transportation infrastructure, including the need to support access to multi-modal transportation systems (e.g. Park & Rides, cycling and pedestrian access to transit, etc.).
The use of more sustainable modes of travel through positive incentives, education, and other positive means of stimulating behavioural change is encouraged. This carrot approach was preferred as opposed to use of the stick approach of efforts to discourage or change behaviour by way of such things as road tolls, higher parking fees, etc.
Many people felt that the existing Transportation Master Plan, with its accompanying planning principles, remains valid however some aspects should be modified. New elements need to be added to reflect an increased emphasis on the environment, performance measurement, implementation timelines, affordability and the importance of links to land use planning.
There was an expressed desire to see the Transportation Master Plan’s planning principles reference unique Ottawa-specific issues such as: heavy truck problems downtown, the City’s urban-rural balance, and the need to better co-ordinate transportation planning with Gatineau.
Interest in the idea of a tunnel downtown is strong; some members of the public believe that we need the tunnel immediately while others felt the tunnel will be very costly and there is no need to rush the tunnel until other transportation concerns are resolved.
Only a few citizens identified costs as an important factor in the decision making process.
The big message heard was that the general public want action on resolving Ottawa transportation problems.
He suggests to check the <Beyond 20/20 website> [no longer online] in mid-February for details about proposed updates of the vision and planning principles and options for rapid transit. Staff will seek Council approval for a proposed rapid transit network in the Spring of 2008.
The web site for this Transportation Master Plan is [no longer online]. [N.B.: The current (2013) TMP is here.]
On February 21, 2008 the City informs:
Transportation Master Plan Open Houses – March 3 – 6
Notice of Public Open Houses and Discussion Groups
Downtown Transit and Network Implications
The City of Ottawa is beginning the second phase of the 2003 Transportation Master Plan Update (TMP), which identifies and addresses the transportation needs of our growing population and employment to the year 2031. This phase involves exploring the various downtown transit options and their implications on the overall transit network.
As part of this review, the City will be hosting four Open Houses and Discussion Group sessions across Ottawa from Monday, March 3 to Thursday, March 6. The Open Houses will run from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. At each event there will be a Discussion Group session starting at 7 p.m. These Discussion Groups will allow citizens to actively participate in determining which downtown transit option best reflects Ottawa’s needs to 2031.
Those interested in participating in one of the Discussion Group sessions, listed below, will need to pre-register. To register, please visit <ottawa.ca/beyondottawa2020> [no longer online].
EAST: Monday, March 3
Bob MacQuarrie Recreation Complex (formerly Orléans Recreation Complex) Hall A
1490 Youville Drive, Orléans
CENTRAL: Tuesday, March 4 City Hall, Jean Pigott Hall
110 Laurier Avenue West, Downtown Ottawa
WEST: Wednesday, March 5
Earl of March High School Cafeteria
4 The Parkway, Kanata
SOUTH: Thursday, March 6
John McCrea High School Cafeteria
103 Malvern Drive, Barrhaven
All Open Houses include discussion group sessions that begin at 7 p.m.
Pre-registration for discussion groups is required at <ottawa.ca/beyondottawa2020> or by calling 3-1-1.
Discussion group pre-registration ends Monday, March 3 at 12 noon.
What is Being Proposed?
The City of Ottawa is updating its 2003 Transportation Master Plan (TMP), which is a key planning document that explains the need for future transit facilities, roads, pathways and other transportation infrastructure, including where and when they will be built. The TMP update will address the transportation needs of Ottawa’s growing population and employment to the year 2031 and beyond.
This set of Open Houses and discussion groups will focus on Ottawa’s Downtown Transit Options and Network Implications and is being carried out in accordance with the requirements for Phases I and II of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment process. This includes the identification of problems and opportunities and the selection of the preferred solutions.
Consultation
Your feedback is an important part of the planning process. In addition to the Open Houses, you can also view information and send comments via <ottawa.ca/beyondottawa2020>, or by regular mail or fax using the contact information provided below. The deadline for receiving comments is March 17, 2008 for inclusion in a report to a joint meeting of the Transportation and Transit Committees in April.
Colin Simpson, MCIP RPP
Planner, Transportation – Strategic Planning Unit
Planning, Transit and Environment Department
City of Ottawa, 110 Laurier Ave West, 4th Floor, K1P 1J1
Tel: 613-580-2424 ext. 27881; Fax: 613-580-2578
colin (dot) simpson ( at ) ottawa.ca
The Greenspace Alliance made a submission to the Joint Meeting of the Transportation and Transit Committees, May 21, 2008
On August 28, 2008 the City advises:
Transportation MP – September consultations
The City of Ottawa is in the final stages of updating the 2003 Transportation Master Plan (TMP), which identifies and addresses the transportation needs of our growing population and employment to the year 2031.
The city is seeking input on different implementation scenarios for its road and transit networks, as well as costs, benefits and associated risks.
During the month of September there will be a variety of ways to get involved and provide input.
OttawaTALKS online conversation: Starting September 11, 2008
Consultation Sessions (6 to 8:30 p.m.):
Thursday, September 11 : Ottawa City Hall
Monday, September 15 : Jim Durrell Recreation Centre
Tuesday, September 16 : Bob MacQuarrie Recreation Complex – Orléans
Thursday, September 18 : Glen Cairn Community Centre
Monday, September 22 : Nepean Sportsplex
Visit <ottawa.ca/tmp> [no longer online] on August 29 for full details.